It comes as no surprise that Kevyn R Salon in Tampa is my favorite salon in the region. I am blessed with thick, dark hair and can pull off short styles that many women cannot. While even the most novice stylist can easily cut my hair, Kevyn Robinson, owner of Kevyn R Salon, takes it to the next level. His attention to detail, instinct for professional and sexy styles, and ability to cut hair to best frame the face are unmatched compared to others I’ve been to in the region.

When I first moved to the Tampa area, I visited several salons in an attempt to find the perfect match. To me, finding a stylist is like dating. You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince (or princess). In other words, I had to sit in a lot of salon chairs before I found the stylist for me. Not only do I consider Kevyn my go-to stylist, but I’ve become good friends with him as well.

Kevyn Robinson of Kevyn R Salon

During a recent visit to Kevyn’s salon, I asked him if he was up for the challenge of giving three local women professional hair makeovers. I was curious to see what he could do with three women of different hair types, races, and personalities. He jumped at the opportunity.

Two weeks later I returned with three women from the Tampa region who had volunteered to be adventurous and were open to a new look.

The first was Lindsey. Lindsey is a social worker and spends her day helping children and families. She prefers short styles that are easy to maintain. Her light complexion and hair texture limit coloring and style options, so Kevyn decided to take her look even shorter with a high fade to flatter her face shape. She looks like she’s read to party, but still appropriately styled for her work.

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The second was Marla. Marla is a former fire fighter and current IT professional. Her German, African American, and Puerto Rican roots have blessed Marla with a head full of thick, curly, and textured hair, which is often difficult to maintain and style. In the past, Marla has opted for short, more masculine styles, but she’s been growing her hair out on top, while keeping the sides shaved, and is stuck in the annoying in-between stage of the grow-out process. Instead of cutting her hair, Kevyn decided to show Marla few ways to style her untamable hair to look more professional for her day job.

To begin, Kevyn stretched out her small, tight curls and used a flat iron to make larger, more professional curls. He then pulled the larger curls over one side of her shaved head and left the other shaved side open to create an edgy, yet professional look. She now has the option of pulling both sides up at night for a fun and curly mohawk, or lowering both sides for a stylish work ‘do.

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Melissa received our third and final makeover. Melissa is a clinical cosmetic consultant at St Petersburg-based dermatology office. Their team specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Although Melissa would eventually like to try a short and spunky style, she wasn’t quite ready to take the leap when she met with Kevyn. So the two of them came up with a plan to darken her roots and shorten her long, dried-out, bleach blond hair to a shoulder-length, less-layered bob. The result is adorable!

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We had a blast that day at the salon. The only one who still needed their hair cut after our visit was me! So, I returned to the salon two weeks later and freshened up my look so I, too, felt pretty and professional.

For book a cut or style with Kevyn or to learn more about Kevyn R Salon, click here.

Rachel Stevenson is an award-winning speaker, writer, diversity consultant, and LGBT advocate. She is the Founder of LGBT Equality Alliance, a Chester County, PA nonprofit organization, and CEO of OUTCOAST, an online marketing and concierge platform marketing the Gulf Coast as an LGBTQ-inclusive place to VISIT, CELEBRATE, and LIVE.
Rachel is also an avid event photographer and has captured photos for LGBT organizations around the world, including the IGLTA, NGLCC, NLGJA, and Out & Equal.